One of the biggest burdens Richmond has foisted on local government entities — city councils, boards of supervisors and school boards — is the recapitalization of the Virginia Retirement System. And it’s close to becoming the straw that breaks the backs of local governments and local taxpayers. [emphasis added]As a result, local governments throughout the Commonwealth have wrangled with making ends meet in order to fund schools and core services for citizens.
"Going so far into our savings account wouldn't have been wise," said Augusta County Supervisor David Karaffa. "However, we went through all the editions of the budget this evening and found where things could wait a year."Karaffa compromised by voting against the three-cent increase on real estate, noting he didn't feel it would be fair using the flawed 2009 assessments. As far as the 32-cent increase for personal property (vehicles), Karaffa made a motion to lower it to 25 cents which would generate around $1 million additional revenue for the county and assure the promised $3 million for the public school budget. It passed on a 4-3 vote with Supervisors Tracy Pyles, Marshall Pattie, and Mike Shull voting against it.
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"It came down to what was critically needed this year, what could wait until next year. But these are very tough budget times. The next budget proves it'll be just as difficult, and probably the one after that," said Karaffa.
Debate over whether or not to use capital fund money occured at a reasonable point in the debate (and in the open), then the tax debate was again held in public view. In the end, none of us likes paying more car tax, we would like Richmond to pony up, but unlike Washington, Augusta has to pass a real budget. If you were listening, no promises were broken. Hard decisions were weighed and made, and according to David Karaffa we're well on our way to correcting the appraisal numbers in 2014. That, Karaffa says, is the time to set the real estate tax rate. So now is not the time to play 'blame games.' I think the Board of Supervisors actually deserves our thanks for performing an unpleasant part of their job in a responsible manner.Well said. Read his entire post for more on this subject.
One of the biggest burdens Richmond has foisted on local government entities — city councils, boards of supervisors and school boards — is the recapitalization of the Virginia Retirement System. And it’s close to becoming the straw that breaks the backs of local governments and local taxpayers. [emphasis added]As a result, Chairman Tracy Pyles explained to those attending the meeting that all needed to put more pressure on those legislators. From WHSV TV-3:
"We have to press our delegates to start making it fair of what's being sent up there (to Richmond). We're sending all that money up there and it's not coming back. We sit there and listen to excuses like, 'Well it's the other party;' or 'It's northern Virginia;' 'It's the committee chairman.' We have got to raise heck and say you're basic job is education, law enforcement and roads,"That attitude has been echoed by numerous local leaders of city councils and supervisor boards throughout the Commonwealth, resulting in tax hikes.
... Bell who represents part of Augusta County says just because localities could not produce a budget, it's not fair that the blame be put on those in Richmond.Is this the new attitude permeating state legislators ... to blame it on the localities?
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"We've had to make spending decisions that weren't popular. If localities had done their work, based on drafting of a budget the House of Delegates produced, they would find themselves in a better position. They had the framework. The fact is even though the economy is better than rest of the U.S., the revenue stream is at same level as it was during pre-recession in 2008. We can't spend what we don't have. Localities don't want to do that," said Bell.
Erik D. Curren |
1,064 | 22.26% | Precincts Reporting: 6 of 6 (100%) |
Votes by Precinct |
James J. Harrington |
1,178 | 24.64% | ||
Ophie A. Kier |
1,247 | 26.09% | ||
Andrea W. Oakes |
1,215 | 25.42% | ||
Write In |
75 | 1.56% |
George Ballew |
372 | 8.31% | Precincts Reporting: 6 of 6 (100%) |
Votes by Precinct |
Robert D. "Bob" Boyle |
887 | 19.81% | ||
Sarah P. Crenshaw |
589 | 13.15% | ||
Joel C. "Jody" Grogan |
1,040 | 23.23% | ||
William L. "Bill" Lobb |
1,216 | 27.16% | ||
Karen M. Purcell |
369 | 8.24% | ||
Write In |
3 | 0.06% |
Frank S. Lucente |
1,473 | 52.21% | Precincts Reporting: 5 of 5 (100%) |
Votes by Precinct |
Lorie M. Smith |
1,342 | 47.57% | ||
Write In |
6 | 0.21% |
| Jim G. Serba II | 1,359 | 49.58% | Precincts Reporting: 5 of 5 (100%) |
Votes by Precinct |
Timothy D. Williams |
1,382 | 50.41% | ||
Write In |
0 | 0% |
| Bruce E. Allen | 1,581 | 57.40% | Precincts Reporting: 5 of 5 (100%) |
Votes by Precinct |
Robert W. Donaldson |
1,171 | 42.51% | ||
Write In |
2 | 0.07% |
Today, in a letter to supporters former candidate Tim Donner endorsed George Allen for U.S. Senate, praising Allen’s commitment to “reducing the size, scope and control of government.” In response to the endorsement, George Allen issued the following statement:For more information on Tim Donner’s endorsement, click here.
“It is truly encouraging to have Tim Donner’s endorsement and his strong, thoughtful voice for the Constitutional values of Freedom, individual responsibility, limited government and opportunity for all. Tim will be a most welcomed key, respected leader carrying our positive message of envisioning a better future for families and job creating small business owners.
"Tim and I share the same serious concerns that America’s freedoms and opportunities are at risk because of an over-spending, over-regulating federal government. We both want to see the repeal of Obamacare, while advancing personal health care options rather than government-rationed care. This election will be pivotal in restoring the promise of the American Dream.
"We will move ahead together, united for proven solutions to reinvigorate our economy with pro- job growth economic, reasonable regulatory and productive American energy development. I'm certain that Tim Donner’s passion for creative, common-sense conservative ideas will make him a persuasive advocate on our growing grassroots team.”
